Do successful tuberculosis vaccines need to be immunoregulatory rather than merely Th1-boosting?

From:: Department for International Development
Published: 1 January 2005

Document Type:: Journal Article
Theme:: Health
Authors:: Zumla, A., Dheda, K., Rook, G.A.W.

Abstract

Tuberculosis vaccine candidates are entering clinical studies in areas where BCG fails. This is a high-risk strategy. We suggest that geographical variation in the efficacy of BCG is related to the presence in developing countries of a cross-reactive background Th2-like response, probably attributable to exposure of mother and infant to helminths and environmental mycobacteria. Such Th2-like activity can stop Mycobacterium tuberculosis from being pushed into a latent state by the Th1 response, impair bactericidal functions and cause toxicity of TNF-a and pulmonary fibrosis. A successful vaccine, rather than driving a Th1 response, might need to suppress this pre-existing subversive Th2-like component.

Citation

Rook, G.A.W.; Dheda, K.; Zumla, A. Do successful tuberculosis vaccines need to be immunoregulatory rather than merely Th1-boosting? Vaccine (2005) 23 (17-18) 2115-2120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.01.069]